How to Configuring Interfaces Breakout in Nexus

Breakout is a mechanism to divide a high bandwidth interface into smaller bandwidth interfaces. Cisco Nexus switches support the breakout of high bandwidth interfaces at the module level or at the per-port level. In this lesson we will learn how to Configuring Interfaces Breakout in Nexus.

So, we can split interfaces in two methods. These are-

Module Level Breakout

Dynamic Breakout

Module Level Breakout:

When we want to breakout a full module, then this is the way to do that. Below command will need to be executed.

NOTE: Breakout configuration can be different depending on switch model. It’s always recommended to check out configuration guide for that model. Also, you can check comment section of this post, who knows, you might find the solution there. You also can leave a comment here if your model doesn’t support these commands.

Breakout LAB:

In this LAB we will breakout a 40G interface into 4x10G interface. We are using N9K-C93180LC-EX as our physical hardware.

Before configuring any breakout, it’s recommended to check the release note and configuration guide to know details about limitation or best practices. In this particular model below are the limitations-

For default portmode, if we do 4x10G breakout, then it is supported only on 1,3,5,…,27 port number. And if we breakout, then the corresponding bottom port will be non-operational. For example, if we configure port 1, then port 2 will be non-operational. If we configure port 3, then port 4 will be non-operational.

Written by Rajib Kumer Das

I am Rajib Kumer Das, a network engineer with 8+ years of experience in multi-vendor environment. In my current position, I am responsible to take care critical projects and it's support cases. I do have several vendor certificates and have plans to go further.

i am having trouble with my cisco nexus 3064qp switch that i can’t find the interface breakout module 1 in my switch commend line, would you please tell me how to enable this feature in my nexus switch in order to breakout switch ports.